Getting yourself ready for EDC Las Vegas

In case you weren’t familiar with one of the basic premises of EDC, you are the headliner. Mostly that means they care deeply about your experience and want you to have the most amazing time possible. But it also means you better bring it. From your outfit to your signage to the way to strut your stuff, being a headliner at EDC is all about showing off the best you you can be.

You can never go wrong with a tutu — and they’re good for EDC too. Photo courtesy of Alonzo Wright.

What to wear

You know the look. You’ve got rave in your blood. So let’s show it with the gear you got on. If you’re the planner in the group, you probably ordered your fuzzy leggings and light-up antennae months ago. But there’s always time to tweak a style. Spots like Halloween Mart in Las Vegas have rave wear sections for all your neon fishnet and tiny backpack needs. And if you want to go a bit more adult with it, shops like Déjà vu and Adult Superstore have kinky kits to get you noticed. But hey, no one says you have to go all out. What matters is that you pick a look that works for you, that makes you feel comfortable, and that you’ll be able to walk in for hours and hours and a few more hours – comfortable shoes are a must.

Ooo Ooo! We found Waldo! What do we win? Photo courtesy of Alonzo Wright.

Signs and Totems

Maybe you love a particular DJ, want to spread peace and joy to all who see you or have one particular friend who you know is going to get lost and will need something tall and easily recognizable to pick out in a crowd. Your sign says a lot about you so put some thought into it. And remember that you’re going to have to carry this thing around with you, so maybe a foldable option is something to consider. Totems and signs give you the chance to send a message to everyone around you, and they give you something to do with your hands while you’re in a crowd. And they definitely get you noticed.

You’ll be walking around and will at most have access to a locker. The show goes on rain or shine and you don’t get to come and go through the gates just because you forgot your smokes in the car. So part of planning is picking what you can carry and what will make the nights the best. A CamelBak is always a good idea, or an official Insomniac water bottle. The festival has refill stations for you to top off with water – just make sure what you bring is empty when you enter. And, as we mentioned before and will likely mention several more times, comfortable shoes are a good idea. Not only will you be on your feet for hours, you’ll be on some uneven ground. You also might want external phone batteries. You’ll find a place to charge if you need it, but who wants to spend that much time waiting around? Some spending cash or card is also a great idea. Insomniac takes care of most of your needs, they’re good at that, so as long as you have yourself set you should be good to go.

P.S. Bring your ID too. You’ll need that.

We obviously don’t have a pic of stuff you should leave at home, so he’s a shot of an inflatable alien. Photo courtesy of Alonzo Wright.

What to leave at home

Every year there are people who try to get in with prohibited items and every year we reiterate how not to do that. Don’t bring weapons of any kind – that includes fakes. No pepper sprays or spray paints – not even that silver mouth stuff from “Fury Road.” And unless they’re necessary and you have a prescription ready to show, don’t try to get meds past security. You can bring lighters and sealed packs of cigarettes, but ditch the rest of your stash. Sure, you wanna have fun out there, but it’s not worth getting arrested over. And while we’re on the subject of being decent human beings, avoid items like head-dresses and other cultural appropriation unless that’s actually your culture. Everyone deserves to have a good time and no one needs insensitivity. If you need any of that repeated, here’s a handy list:

Yep

CamelBak or water bottle – empty when you enter

Sealed cigarettes and lighters

Signs, banners or totems

Deflated inflatables (our new band name)

Fanny packs

Cell phones

Hula hoops

Sealed lip balm, lip gloss or powdered makeup

Nooooope

Weapons

Illegal drugs and Rx drugs that have expired or don’t have a prescription

Glass containers or cans

Open packs of cigarettes (upon entry)

Laser pointers and air horns

Balls or Frisbees

Massagers (giggle)

Large purses or bags

Outside food or alcohol

Check out the official Insomniac page for a full list of dos and don’ts. It’s pretty self-explanatory, hopefully. But you never wanna be that person that makes the whole crew wait while you go back and stow your massager in the car.

We’re so happy that you’re so happy. Photo courtesy of Alonzo Wright.

Your attitude

This is always important, which is of course why we threw it at the bottom of a blog. Coming to EDC is all about having fun with people who are upbeat, enthusiastic and overall kind. We’ve seen total strangers helping each other out, holding hands, getting to know each other and sharing everything that EDC is all about. It’s important to bring the PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect) attitude to EDC. It makes the festival better for everyone and you will be blessed for expressing that energy. We promise.

Comments

I came from a little town in the Midwest. And believe me, I’m never going back. It’s probably nice if you love grass and snow; but I love the lights, the glamour, and the flocks of tourists seeking fun and fortune. Once the sun goes down, I’ll be the first one out hitting the clubs or just wandering the Strip for a little nighttime adventure. Passing through Bond on my way to Lily Bar, or taking a shortcut through Double Helix before landing at Parasol Up/Down, I’m the one you’ll randomly bump into – only sometimes literally – strolling through Sin City’s liquored veins – and loving every minute of it.